Your Centers

Since their inception in 1984, the mission of the California Alzheimer's Disease Centers (CADCs) has been to (1) reduce the human burden and economic cost associated with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and (2) improve the quality of life for anyone affected by Alzheimer's disease in California.

Emerging Crisis

Over the next 20 years, the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on the State of California will increase dramatically. The leading edge of the baby boomers turned 62 in 2009 and individuals are living longer, resulting in a significant growth in the population of older adults. Since the primary risk factor for Alzheimer's disease is older age, there will be a substantial increase in the number of people with the disease.

Caring for Californians

The CADCs serve California as specialty referral clinics providing expert diagnoses and "model clinical care" to patients affected by Alzheimer's Disease and other neurological conditions. The centers make outreach into our communities a priority and focus on providing care to California's underserved populations. Many patients also benefit through access to promising clinical trials and other research opportunities.

Educating California

Your California Alzheimer's Disease Centers play a critical role in building a "Network of Care" for Californians impacted by Alzheimer's Disease and other Neurodegenerative Diseases. The centers provide cutting edge training and educational opportunities for patients, caregivers, physicians and other health care professionals.

Sharing Expertise

The California Alzheimer's Disease Centers work to develop solutions for the emerging Alzheimer's crisis through our partnerships with organizations and government agencies at the local, state and national levels. Through these partnerships, the centers actively impact health policy, caregiver support, education of health professionals and groundbreaking research into causes and cures for Alzheimer's Disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.

Understanding Dementia

Dementia is a clinical decline in memory and other thinking abilities. It is caused by various diseases and conditions that result in damage to brain cells and lead to distinct symptom patterns and brain abnormalities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 70% of all causes of dementia, and vascular disease is the second most common cause, accounting for 17% of all dementing disorders.

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The California Alzheimer's Disease Centers

In 1984, the State of California established the Alzheimer’s Disease Program (ADP) through legislation that sought to:

Improve health care delivery to persons affected by Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers

Provide training and education to health care professionals, students, patients, caregivers and community

Advance diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

To carry out this mandate, the Alzheimer’s Disease Program established a network of ten dementia care Centers of Excellence at California medical schools. These California Alzheimer’s Disease Centers (CADCs) effectively and efficiently improve AD health care delivery, provide specialized training and education to health care professionals and others, and advance the diagnosis and treatment of AD. Learn more

The CADCs also provide an important ongoing economic stimulus, attracting additional fiscal resources to meet the growing needs of Californian's affected by dementia. These include industry support for clinical trials and research; foundation and federal support for training programs, fellowships, and research grants; and private philanthropy.Learn more

The CADCs play a critical role in building a vital workforce for the growing needs of the state through training physicians, nurses, physician’s assistants, health care professionals and research investigators. Since 2000, over 541,000 professionals and students have received training and education at the centers. Learn more